The most famous domestic cup competition in the world reached it’s most interesting stage as the third round draw of the FA Cup was made throwing together those from the lower and non-leagues who have made it this far with the big boys of the Premier League.

The FA Cup has produced many shocks and giant killers over the years and the draw for the 2009/10 competition has held out the possibility of one or two more.

Perhaps most romantic tie was the last to come out of the hat as Blue Square Premier League side Kettering Town were rewarded for their hard-earned draw against Leeds United with the opportunity to play at Old Trafford against the might of Manchester United. The rest of the big four from the Premier League will face more familiar opposition. Holders Chelsea host London rivals Watford whilst Arsenal can also plan for a derby against West Ham United. Liverpool must travel to Reading.

Other eye-catching ties involving those at the top end of the Premier League see Spurs entertain Peterborough United and Aston Villa pitched against Blackburn Rovers. Everton will welcome north west opposition to Goodison in the shape of League One side Carlisle United but big spenders Manchester City must travel over the Pennines to face Middlesbrough on Teesside.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Staines Town who, as representatives of the Blue Square South League are the lowest ranked side left in the competition, still have the chance of a piece of FA Cup glory as their reward for beating Millwall in the up-and-coming replay will be a match against Derby County.

Of the rest, Wigan hosting Hull City is the only other all-Premiership tie whilst Stoke City, currently sat ninth, face a home tie against non-league York City. Sunderland also play non-league opposition with the winner of the Oxford United and Barrow replay heading to the Stadium Of Light. North east neighbours Newcastle face possibly the longest trip of the round as they travel to Home Park, Plymouth.

All ties will be played over the weekend of the 2^nd and 3rd of January.

Tottenham v Peterborough United
Brentford v Doncaster Rovers
Middlesbrough v Manchester City
Stoke City v York City
Notts County v Forest Green Rovers
Huddersfield Town v West Bromwich Albion
Sheffield United v QPR
MK Dons v Burnley
Chelsea v Watford
Nottingham Forest v Birmingham City
Preston North End v Colchester United
West Ham United v Arsenal
Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers
Portsmouth v Coventry City
Sunderland v Oxford United or Barrow
Wigan Athletic v Hull City
Everton v Carlisle United
Sheffield Wednesday v Crystal Palace
Tranmere Rovers or Aldershot Town v Wolves
Blackpool v Ipswich Town
Fulham v Swindon Town
Stockport County or Torquay v Brighton
Scunthorpe United v Barnsley
Southampton v Rotherham United or Luton Town
Bristol City v Cardiff City
Reading v Liverpool
Staines Town or Millwall v Derby County
Plymouth Argyle v Newcastle United
Leicester City v Swansea City
Bolton Wanderers v Lincoln City
Accrington Stanley or Barnet v Gillingham
Manchester United v Kettering Town or Leeds United